So I started work full time in September and thought that would be the end of volunteering at Wallington - but as they say "never say never again!" The hall had pulled me back.
I helped out with some of the wartime activities at Wallington the other weekend - Glenn Miller played out; the sun shone; jeeps and soldiers were shining and children were making gas mask boxes. A great family fun day. A spitfire simulator kept children and dads intrigued. Whilst everyone was surprised to hear about the evacuees at Wallington and a 1940s wedding expert gave a fascinating insight into traditions of old.
In the May half term holiday I helped with Tracker Packs, Pond Dipping and Bug Hunting. Previous to that I was doing Time Travel again and helped with a school doing archaeological digs. Next week I'm volunteering with Mad about Maps. All fantastic activities to be involved in if you love the outdoors; feel enthusiastic about teaching children - and want to get muddy and messy! This phase of the Learning Volunteer work has been an interesting contrast to the house tours - and from my point of view more enjoyable.
In fact next week will be my last volunteering stint at Wallington Hall, as I have secured full time paid employment. I will be available during holidays, but my monthly jaunts to the hall will come to an end. All great experience though whilst looking for paid employment and something I can hopefully return to when I retire.
Every time I set off to Wallington Hall I step into a Tardis and arrive at some other time in history! This week it was Roman times, last week Medieval with knights in shining armour and previous weeks Pre-War times, when decorating the doll's house.
Today I've been volunteering in the yurt again, this time children could make Roman-style mosaics. In the main courtyard families could help re build a mini Roman Wall or go on a Latin Trail around the grounds. Plus, Romans were camping out in tents - showing visiting families their weapons, medical instruments, cooking utensils and pots.
That was my best Good Friday for years...as a child it was usually a grey, dismal, rainy day...waiting in anticipation for an Easter egg and a pair of new white ankle socks on the Sunday...but yesterday I helped out with St George's day activities at Wallington Hall in warm sunshine - British weather at its best. 170 eager children each painted a knight's shield, with just as eager parents giving artistic advice. It all happened in the yurt, which is located on the grass next to the hall. (When I first read the venue I thought it was a misprint of the word yard; that's what happens when you've been living abroad for two years - I had to Google it.)
Other activities included dragon trails, knight school and trying on armour. A great experience for everyone: children, parents - and staff. You can't beat children saying "Thank you" or "Look at my painted shield" and beaming with pride. There were all sorts of coats of arms designed. Kate Middleton would've been spoilt for choice. It was interesting to see how some children paint freely and others plan and measure and make their lines straight - famous artists and architects in the making.
At last our labours have just about come to fruition! The doll's house is nearly finished at Wallington Hall. It will soon be in the Nursery in the main hall, and children (plus adults!) will be able to open doors, move furniture about and imagine life just before World War Two.
The doll's house team have been working on the reproduction 1930s house since February, when Gillian Mason, the Visitor Experience Manager, had the idea to have a doll's house that children could play with at Wallington.
Wallington Hall already has a whole room dedicated to doll's houses, but they are too precious to be played with and all reside behind Perspex. Twelve of the houses were donated to the hall by Mrs Angus of Corbridge, in 1973. The thirteenth and largest house is called Hammond House; so called after the little girl who once owned it - Ruby Hammond. The houses are mainly 19th century in date and have original wallpapers, furniture, china, glass and dolls. In fact there are 77 dolls in Hammond House. All the houses are a fantastic record of life in those times.
For the past two weeks I have been shadowing seasoned Learning Volunteers at Wallington. Along with a full day's training in early March, it is all part of me becoming one. However, it will be some time before I'm as adept as such volunteers; some have been trusted guides for ten years or more.
Walking up to the main house I felt like a housemaid of days gone by, as birds cawed and the path crunched. Inside the house staff had already opened up the required rooms for that morning. Rooms chosen to best illustrate Life in the Big House or A Home from the Past. Shutters were folded back, blinds were rolled and the house had a chilly feel - I could have been back in Victorian times.
Our job was then to set up - to get out baskets of resources, lay the dining table with rows of cutlery and agree on the route around the house.
Since starting in February as a Learning Volunteer at Wallington Hall I've gained a great experience. I'll be updating the site with what's going on week by week behind the scenes at Wallington.
Volunteer originally meant: one who offers himself for military service. It now means: of one's free will. However, we probably tend to think of it as unpaid work, and to work for free, in the present economic climate, sounds madness!
I am working, of my own free will, at Wallington as I've just returned from working in Athens for two years and I'm applying for jobs. Being a volunteer means not only keeping busy and gaining new experiences, but it means giving something back too.
Morpeth Links
John Dawson - Local history tales
Wildlife - With Conservation Officer Kevin O'Hara
Ian Lavery - Updates from the MP for Wansbeck
Ray Purvis - Through the seasons at Wallington
DAWN Advice - Liz Chadwick from the advice charity
Robson and Prescott Vets - Pet advice
Morpeth Lions Club - By Lion Simon Pringle
Wendy Errington - Volunteering at Wallington
Andrew Gibson - Fishing and photography
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